The Kerala State Waqf Board, which had fiercely opposed the amendment to the Waqf Act, will make its opposition to the legislation known to the Supreme Court whereas the Kerala government is yet to take a call on the politically sensitive issue.
The Supreme Court had in its April 17 interim order suggested that the “Union of India, the State governments and the Waqf Boards may file preliminary reply/response to the writ petitions within seven days.” The interim order was passed in a host of petitions filed by various organisations, State governments and political parties, both opposing and supporting the amendments passed by the Union government. The responses will have to be filed before April 24. The court will take up the case again on May 5.
Though Kerala was one of the first States to criticise the proposed amendments and to unanimously pass a resolution in the Assembly urging the Union government to drop the amendments, it did not move the top court on its own or impleaded in the petitions filed by others.
The Waqf Board, which organised a day-long conclave of Muslim religious leaders, politicians and representatives of various organisations to consolidate its position on the proposed amendment, presented its opposition to the Joint Parliamentary Committee members in Bengaluru. The board had also submitted its written representation to the committee.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Congress had termed the legislation an attempt by the ruling coalition to target and alienate the Muslims. The Indian Union Muslim League went a step further and challenged the amendments in the Supreme Court.
Protests at Munambam
The Waqf Amendment Act has a special relevance to the State as it came amidst protests by Munambam residents, spearheaded by a Church organisation. The BJP had unleashed a campaign that the enactment of the Act would solve the land issue faced by the 600-plus families, most of whom belong to the Latin Catholic community.
Even though it is not mandatory for the State governments and the boards to file their views, the Supreme Court has offered a rare opportunity for all the stakeholders to put their views across to the court, pointed out legal sources.
M.K. Sakeer, chairperson of the Kerala State Waqf Board, said the agency would file its statement before the apex court on Monday. He said that the Board had drawn up a statement detailing its stance on the issue, which would be filed.
V. Abdurahiman, Minister for Waqf, said the State government would look into the court order and take a stand shortly.
Published – April 20, 2025 07:40 pm IST